Chapter 9

"Brother Qin, Brother Cheng!"

Luo Shixin, without regard for Li Shimin standing nearby, called out loudly.

"Haha, little brother is still so spirited. Old Cheng always says that our little brother is fierce and brave, even the King of Hell would be afraid to take him, so how could he easily get into trouble?" Cheng Yaojin's voice was loud and resonant, comparable to Zhang Fei's.

Li Shimin knew the three had a deep bond and did not mind.

After getting off the boat, Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin came to pay their respects first.

Luo Shixin also closely observed these two legendary figures. Qin Qiong was completely different from the descriptions in later novels; he was not a rough and burly Shandong man but rather had long eyebrows, bright eyes, and a distinguished demeanor, a rare handsome man. Cheng Yaojin, on the other hand, was just like his cinematic image—tall and robust, with a bronze complexion, a square face, and a rough face covered in black, stiff stubble, with a pair of fierce tiger eyes, making him look like a fierce Zhang Fei.

Li Shimin understood that although Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin led the most elite left and right cavalry under his command and protected him on the battlefield, they were not his personal bodyguards. They had likely come here mainly to support Luo Shixin, who was in a difficult situation. He smiled and said, "You brothers should have a good reunion. I have some military affairs to attend to, so I won't disturb you."

As the commander-in-chief Li Shimin left, the atmosphere immediately became more relaxed.

"Let me see if you're hurt!" Cheng Yaojin, unable to contain his impatience, grabbed Luo Shixin's shoulders and examined him from top to bottom.

Luo Shixin felt a wave of warmth and smiled, "Brother Cheng, you worry too much. I've been through so many tough battles over the years. Those scoundrels couldn't even scratch me!"

It was indeed strange that Luo Shixin, who always led from the front, had no memory of ever being injured. Even during the seven-day, seven-night bloodbath at Ming Water City, the blood he shed was all the enemy's, a true miracle.

Luo Shixin's gaze fell on Qin Qiong's shoulder.

Qin Qiong said, "It's just a minor injury, nothing serious." He was always a man of few words, but among the three, he was the most steady. Whenever they encountered any issue, he was always the first to step forward silently. In Luo Shixin's memory, Qin Qiong was the person he most admired.

Luo Shixin's concern did not diminish. Qin Qiong was the first among the old Wagon Fort generals to die of illness, due to the lingering effects of years of warfare. The historical Qin Qiong was not the weak and easily defeated character in the novels. He was more like Lu Bu from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, arguably the best warrior in the world, capable of taking an enemy's head in a throng of soldiers as easily as picking a fruit from a tree. Even when sparring with Qin Qiong, Luo Shixin often lost. At twenty, Luo Shixin found it challenging to defeat Qin Qiong, who was in his prime, though the gap was not significant. If Qin Qiong's martial prowess was rated at 100, Luo Shixin would be at least 99 or 98.

Qin Qiong's excessive bravery and frequent injuries took a toll on his body. While he was strong in his youth, his health declined as he aged, and he could not withstand the recurrence of old injuries.

Luo Shixin knew this situation but could do little about it for now. There would be time to find a solution.

Cheng Yaojin led the way, pulling the horses, and the route they took was the opposite of the camp.

Qin Qiong pretended not to notice, and although Luo Shixin had questions, he did not say anything.

They arrived at the foot of an unknown mountain. Cheng Yaojin ordered their personal guards to disperse and keep watch. Then, he mysteriously took down three large leather bags from the horse, shook them, and said proudly, "This is genuine thousand-day brew, very potent. No one but me can get it."

Luo Shixin laughed, "Old brother, you have a drinking problem and are dragging us into it. What a plan."

Cheng Yaojin feigned anger, "Little brother, you don't understand. If it weren't to celebrate your survival, I wouldn't part with this thousand-day brew!" He then whispered, "Besides, if we drink together, even if we're caught, Prince Qin will turn a blind eye. What's there to fear?"

The Tang army had many fierce generals, but only Yu Chi Jingde could match Qin Qiong, Luo Shixin, and Cheng Yaojin. With a decisive battle approaching, Li Shimin would not punish them at this time. Cheng Yaojin, though rough on the outside, was shrewd and understood the situation well.

"I'll drink!" Qin Qiong was a better fighter than Cheng Yaojin but lacked his cunning. He thought it was only fair to share the punishment, a mere beating, and not let it dampen their spirits.

Luo Shixin, a heavy drinker, had a taste for alcohol even before his穿越. He snatched a leather bag and said, "I'll try it first!"

The thousand-day brew went down his throat, and a sweet and spicy sensation spread from his throat to his heart and lungs, then through every vein and pore.

"Good wine!"

The alcohol content of the wine at this time was much lower than in later eras, but it was made from the best, unpolluted spring water, rice, and wheat, giving it a natural sweetness and aroma that modern liquor lacked.

"Look at you, so eager..." Cheng Yaojin, unable to wait, also raised his flask and drank greedily. After a moment, he said, "This is the legendary thousand-day brew I begged from my father-in-law. It's excellent. By the way, little brother, you're twenty this year. When I was your age, I already had a child. Do you want your sister-in-law to find you a wife to warm your bed? She's quite capable and might even be a noblewoman."

Cheng Yaojin, despite his rough appearance, had married a noblewoman from the Cui family, the top of the five noble families. He often boasted about it, and now he was at it again.

Luo Shixin rolled his eyes, "Spare me. Warming the bed? I bet you'll be on your knees." In his memory, Cheng Yaojin had been on his knees before.

Cheng Yaojin was unfazed, "Don't think being on your knees is a big deal. You get used to it. Losing face at home but gaining face outside, that's what a real man does."

Qin Qiong said, "You should find a wife. The Luo family shouldn't be without an heir."

Compared to Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong's words were more reliable.

Luo Shixin nodded, "I know, but I haven't met the right one yet. When I do, I'll settle down."

The three sat on the ground, drinking and talking about the past and the future.

They were all old Wagon Fort generals who had weathered storms together, sharing life and death. Few of their old friends remained, so they cherished each other even more.

Luo Shixin, looking at the flushed faces of the two, felt a surge of emotion. In the modern world, materialism and selfishness were rampant, and true brotherhood was rare. But in ancient times, comrades shared life and death, and such bonds were invaluable.

Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin were the kind of brothers one could entrust with one's life.